President of Auto drivers union shot dead in Kalmunai

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 29 May 2007, 17:10 GMT]
Two unidentified gunmen on motor cycle, using a T56 rifle, shot dead the president of Kalmunai Auto Drivers' Union at Kalmunai in Ampaa'rai district Tuesday around 7:15 a.m, sources in Kalmunai said. The victim had acrimonious exchanges previously with Karuna group members on union related issues, and this may have had a bearing on the killing.

The victim was identified as Illayathamby Shanthakumar, 40, a father of two children, of Ammankoayil Veethi in Kalmunai.

Shanthakumar was shot dead at a shop close to his house where he had gone to buy provisions.

Athambawa Jabar, 38, who happened to be close to the site, sustained serious injury caught in the shooting. He was rushed to Kalmunai Base hospital.

The body was given to the victim's relatives after inquest into the death was held.